MAPLE GROVE, Minn. – Bomb threats were made to homes owned by Brian Thompson and his wife Paulette as news spread that he had been shot dead on a New York sidewalk en route to a business meeting. Local police searched the addresses and determined the threats were hoaxes. Police didn’t identify the homes as the Thompsons, but WCCO news reporters quickly correlated the addresses through property records. Brian and Paulette have separate addresses and have BEEN living apart.

Earlier: Threats to UnitedHealth leader not new

WINONA, Minn. – Three city-licensed liquor establishments failed the second police sweep of the year by serving an under-age customer. Eight passed the latest compliance check. The breakdown:

Passed

> Midtown Foods, 126 East Fifth Street.

> Broken World Records bar, 267 East Third Street.

 > Ed’s No Name bar, 252 East Third Street.

> Third Street Liquor, 157 East Third Street.

> Gabby’s Bar and Lounge, 179 East Third Street.

> Kwik Trip, 817 West Fifth Street.

> Kwik Trip, 375 Cottonwood Drive.

> Kwik Trip, 1601 West Fifth Street.

In the first round of checks earlier in the week, 14 passed and three failed. All 80-some local liquor had been alerted in advance by Police Sergeant Anthony Wurst, project officer, to expect compliance checks.

Earlier: Police decoy finds under-age liquor service

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LAKE CITY, Minn. – Three persons were injured in a two-vehicle collision on U.S. Highway 63 southwest of Lake City. Taken to the Lake City hospital with sustainable injuries:

> Daniel Robert Richardson, 78, of Lake City, driver of 2019 Ford Edge.

> Kimberly Kaye Button, 44, of Oronoco, driver of a 2017 GMC Acadia.

> Kyleigh Marie Button, 10, of Oronoco, her passenger.

Wabasha County deputies said that the Ford Edge was southbound toward Zumbro Falls, the GMC Acadia northbound toward Lake City. This was about 4:15 p.m. near 345th Avenue.

MAPLE GROVE, Minn. — The wife of slain Minnesota insurance executive Brian Thompson said he had received earliersthreats related  to the company’s  “lack of coverage.”  Paulette Thompson didn’t go into detail. “There were some people that had been threatening him,” she told an NBC interviewer.

Earlier: Police gather clues in UnitedHealth slaying

WABASHA, Minn. – The Wabasha County prosecutor sued the County Board for cutting his salary $20,000. Matthew Stinson’ called the salary cut arbitrary, capricious and illegal. Stinson cited Minnesota Statute 388.18, which protects the salaries of a county attorneys during the term to which tyeywere elected. Stinson also said a County Board majority in the 3-2 vote lacked a sense of his duties and responsibilities as county attorney. County Board member Don Springer denied any such ignorance. Springer said the board was aware of the statute and acted anyway to send Stinson a message of dissatisfaction. Maybe now, Springer said, Stinson’s performance will improve.

Stinson profile

Matt Stinson, age 38, has practiced law 10 years in the Wabasha County of Lake City. His specialty was criminal defense. He also was a part-time public defender before running for county attorney. In 2022 he ran for county attorney and defeated 24-year incumbent Karrie Kelly, by 139 votes. Stinson positioned himself as a pro-police candidate. He promised “to improve trust between the sheriff’s department and the county attorney’s office.

Sorting out the facts

News reporters at Minnesota Public Radio examined Wabasha County judicial records and found jury trials in felony cases have been fairly rare for years — not only since Stinson was elected. The county population  21,600. These are the numbers of felony jury trials:

> 020. None.

> 2021: Three.

> 2022: None.

> 2023: None

> 2024: Two so far.

Even so, Stinson’s predecessor as county attorney, Karrie Kelly, age 64, whom he defeated for the office in 2o22, says he has been too soft in plea deals that sidestep jury trials. The County Board dissatisfaction with Stinson is in the two high-profile cases:

> Sexual Abuse Case 1. When he was elected, Stinson inherited a sexual abuse case case from Kelly. A man had been caught with child sex images. Kelly had sought a 2-1/2 year prison sentence, but the man’s atttorney negotiated a deal that allowed him to serve only three months. A judge accepted the deal. Kelly called the deal upsetting.

> Sexual Abuse Case 2, The perpetrator served no jail time.

> Sexual Assault Case 3. A current case involves 39-year-old man alleged to have sexually assaulted a 14-year-old gitl. The man’s attorney has moved to dismiss the case on grounds that Stinson’s criminal complaints missed essential facts that the law requires, including the dates and locations of the alleged assaults.   Stinson blamed the errors on a software glitch and said the complaint is being amended.

> School Bullying Case. Complaints of serial bullying in the Wabasha schools went to Stinson. The issue stirred community disgust. In the end however, the primary parent has decided eh case more approritely a federal issue as a Title IX sexual discrimination violation by the Wabasha school system. The case is no longer in local hands. Conceivably the case could mean a huge fine against the Wabasha school district.

Earlier: Wabasha prosecutor didn’t see salary cut coming

Earlier: Wabasha Board docks prosecutor’s salary

WINONA, Minn. – Deputies and parole officers arrested a Winona man on a warrant for skipping a probation appointment — and found more drugs. Samuel John Mueller Jr., age 19, offered no resistance, deputies said. This was at a house in the 300 block of East Sanborn Street about10:20 a.m. In Mueller’s wallet, deputies said, was 4.0 grams of meth, which led to a new drug charge. On a dining table, they said,  was a Dextroamthetimine pill, which sometimes is prescribed to control attention deficit hyperactivity. Mueller didn’t have a prescription, which meant a second new drug charge.

Mueller. Faces parole violation charge, new charges.

LEWISTON, Minn. – Investigators have released the name of a man who died when he was ejected from his rolling car Wednesday. He was Allyn Duane Ellinghuygsen, 71, who lived on Morning Glory Drive near Lewiston. Deputies said that Ellinghuysen was heading south out of Lewiston on County Road 25. A witness said that he drifted off the road and then accelerated into a ditch, went airborne, and overturned several times. The witness account led investigators to consider whether Ellinghuysen may have suffered a sudden medical crisis. Firts-responders called for a helicopter to evacuate Ellihnghausen while they tried revive him. They were unsuccessful.

Earlier: Driver killed at complex Lewiston junction

PRESTON, Minn. – An out-of-court breakthrough is in progress in the case against twin sisters for the 2013 Amish buggy crash that killed two school girls. Fillmore County prosecutor Brett Corson asked the judge for more time to work out details of a settlement. Corson said the attorneys representing Samantha Petersen and the attorney representing Sarah Petersen are in agreement about a continuance.  Judge Jeremy Clinefelter was expected to approve the delay.

Earlier: One twin in Amish crash seeks reduced charges

Earlier: Battle grows over evidence in fatal Amish crash

NEW YORK – Police said the lone gunman who killed Minnesota insurance executive Brian Thompson on a Midtown Manhattan street took off on an electric bike into Central Park and disappeared. Surveillance showed a hooded man with a gun equipped with silencer. He was in a hoody and in some video was masked. On the street, police said, they found three shell casings. The words “deny,” “defend” and “depose” were written on the casings. The words suggest a link to a growing movement against the giant insurance industry. The movement has picked up traction since a 2010 book by legal scholar Jay Feinman — “Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It.” Feinman calls for consumers and lawmakers to fight back.

Surveillance images. The shooter from different cameras.

UnitedHealthcare profile

UnitedHealth Group, headquartered in the Minneapolis suburb of Minnetonka, is the nation’s largest health insurer. The company has a market value of $474 billion. Its revenue is the ninth largest globally. It sells insurance products as UnitedHealthcare and healthcare services under the Optum brand name. Optum once had a major operation in LaCrosse. The company began in 1974 by processing claims for doctors with Hennepin County Medical Society. Growth was through aggressive acquisitions. Its U.S. revenue is $372 billion. Employees: 440, 000. The company regularly is in the crosshairs of federal and state regulators. It donates as much as $4.7 million a year to political candidates and groups. In Washington alone it has nine different lobbying firms on contract.

Brian Thompson profile

Brian Thompson graduated from the University of Iowa in 1997 in business and accounting. He worked six years at the accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers. Thompson joined UnitedHealth Group in 2004 to lead the company’s government programs, including Medicare. He later became director of corporate development. In 2021 at age 47 he was named chief executive of the whole operation. His base salary is $1 million. With bonuses and stock options his compensation package totals $10.2 million. On Thompson’s watch UnitedHealtcare became notable for an unusually high rate of denying policyholder claims. Even so he maintained a generally low profile. Two sons attended a public high school in the north Minneapolis suburb of Plymouth. He regularly attended athletic and school events.

Earlier: Minnesota insurance exec assassinated

In the chord of G. Rain or shine, freezing or torrid, all it takes is a breeze for music along Peterson Creek downstream from Lewiston. Image: Steve Lunde

Teetering atop blocks. Jerry Engler in his woolen cap reaches high to hoist a holiday wreath into place. Yes, it’s chilly out there. When lit, the oversize wreath will be sparkling with double the lights of last year. Images: Steve Lunde

Basketball (men): Saint Mary’s 81, Northland of Ashland 66

Basketball (men): UW-LaCrosse 99, Bethany of Mankato 97

Basketball (women): Saint Marys’ 73, St. Catherine 63

WINONA, Minn. – Two liquor establishments were caught serving alcohol to an underage decoy in a new police crackdown. Gigged were:

> Myia Japanese Bistro, 62 East Third Street.

> MGM Liquor, 850 Menards Road.

The proprietors were advised that a criminal investigator weuld review the cases. Also there could be a fine. In addition, the City Council, which has authority to yank a liquor license, would be advised. In compliance checks, an underage member of the Winona Alliance Against Substance Abuse Prevention tries to buy a drink. The decoy then alerts an officer if there is no identification check for age and alcohol is served. A notice of noncompliance is issued. Fourteen establishments were awarded compliance certificates:

> American Legion, 302 East Sarnia Street.

> Blooming Grounds, 50 East Third Street.

> BP convenience shop, 922Mankato Avenue.

> Brewski’s Pub & Grill, 900 Bruski Drive.

> Fifth Street Liquor, 501 West Fifth Street.

> Holiday convenience shop, Mankato Avenue.

> Kate’s Place, 1000 East King Street.

> Kwik Trip, 1058 Homer Road.

> Kwik Trip, 773 East Broadway.

> Mankato Bar, 477 Mankato Avenue.

> Muddled Thyme, 75 West Third Street.

> River City Grill, 1025 U.S. Highway 61 East.

> Winona Athletic Club, 773 East Fifth Stret.

> Walmart, 955 Frontenac Drive.

Earlier: School call for all Winona bartenders, bouncers

Earlier: One night in Winona: Bar service to minors

Earlier: 10 Winona bars pass compliance check; 6 fail

WINONA, Minn. – Firefighters responded to a call about fire on the roof of the new Kwik Trip car wash in the hotel complex on Homer Road but found only steam. A vent pipe had disconnected. Flames? Must have been somebody’s imagination, firefighters said. This was about 8:20 p.m.

HARMONY, Minn. – Two Illinois truckers were injured when a sudden gust blew their Kenworth truck and semi-trailer off the road south of Harmony. Marquis Devon McCoy, 27, of Chicago, and Ernesto Flores, of Waukegan, 34, were taken 20 miles across the Iowa border to the Decorah hospital. Their injuries were non-life threatening, said Fillmore County deputies. Gusts the area had been clocked near 60 mph. The accident was on a straight and open stretch of U.S. Highway 52 about 1:30 p.m.

AUSTIN, Minn. – A Utica man who had been free on his own recognizance in a Grand Meadow sexual assault case was ordered back behind bars allegedly for a probation violation. Bail this time was set at $200,000 for Jose Hector Contreras-Paredes, age 30. He had been released temporarily on condition he stay away from  the woman. The new charges say he approached the woman within 500 feet at her job and either had used or possessed a dangerous weapon. In the new hearing Judge Christopher Neisen, on loan from Wabasha County, revoked Contreras-Paredes’ release. Court documents based mostly on the woman’s account listed this series of events:

> August 29: Contreras-Paredes, who was known to the woman, drove to her place about 1 a.m.

> She told him that she was going to bed and goodbye.

> He pushed through the door anyway and began kissing her.

> She resisted, but he continued to press himself on her, groping herm and physically injuring her.

> August 30: Contreras-Paredes told a Mower County that he was drunk and didn’t remember doing some of the things the victim claimed.

> October 23: The Mower County prosecutor sought an arrest warrant.

> December 3: According to to a probation officer, an augmented  criminal charge was in order.

ROCHESTER, Minn. – A Winona man was charged with stealing boxes of collectible cards from a southeast Rochester shop in a brazen ploy. Joshua Allan Mueller, 44, was caught red-handed on security video taking cartons containing $3,400 worth of cards, police said. This was Tuesday about 11 p.m. Mueller was charged with felony theft. A clerk gave this description of the theft:

> A man impersonating a vendor entered the store with a cart loaded presumably with cartons of new trading cards for stocking.

> He went to a backroom.

> He cut open the bottom of some of the store’s own trading card cartons.

> He filled his own cartons with the store’s cards and put the store’s now-emptied boxes back on a shelf.

> He exited the front door with the stolen cards.

The clerk intercepted the man’s cart and found hundreds of the shop’s own sports trading cards. Police were called. In court Mueller was told to return for a further hearing at the end of he month.

Mueller. Trading card addict? An overzealous trader?

LEWISTON, Minn. – A driver died in a single-vehicle crash at the 90-degree turn of County Road 25 a mile south of Lewiston in central Winona County. Deputy Sheriff Jeff Mueller declined to release the victim’s name until kin could be informed but said the man was 71 years old. The crash was a little before 11 a.m. The driver was alone in the car. A med-evac helicopter was called. The turn is a complex junction of County and State Road 25, and of the  County Road 106 link over to  County Road 27, and of Enterprise Valley Drive.

WINONA, Minn. – The Fire Department reported 33 emergency medical calls plus 8 fire calls in recent days:

> Tuesday, December 3: 1 medical call plus 3 fire call.

> Monday, December 2: 8 medical calls plus no fire call.

> Sunday, December 1: 6 medical calls plus 1 fire call.

> Saturday, November 30: 4 medical calls plus no fire calls.

> Friday, November 29: 4 medical calls plus no fire calls.

> Thursday, November 28: 1 medical call plus 1 fire calls.

> Wednesday, November 27: 4 medical calls plus 1 fire call.

> Tuesday, November 26: 5 medical calls plus 2 fire call.

Earlier: Emergency, fire crews make 37 calls

NEW YORK —  The chief executive of Minnesota-based UnitedHealthcare, the nation’s largest health insurer, was shot in the back and killed on the sidewalk in front of the Manhattan hotel where he had spent the night. Brian Thompson died instantly. This was about 6:45 a.m. Thompson walking to another hotel for an investors meeting. He had flown the day before from his home in the northwest Minneapolis suburb of Maple Grove. Police said that Thompson appeared targeted by a lone assassin who was in wait on the street. The assassin fled.

Thompson. UnitedHealth chief executive since 2021. With company almost 20 years. Age 50.

Blufftop hydrants open. A city parks crew is spraying the bluff crests overlooking Lake Winona for perhaps an early season. Normally the ice park’s cascades are ready by mid-January. Earlier this year? With 100-plus routes, the park is the second largest in the nation. Image: Steve Lunde